7 Public Administration colleges in Massachusetts with strong social mobility outcomes. Average earnings: $63,892.
These 5 Public Administration programs in Massachusetts aren't just accessible—they deliver results. Each school ranks in the 60th percentile or above for social mobility, meaning they actually enroll and graduate low-income students. Then we ranked them by graduate earnings, finding schools that are both accessible AND high-performing.
University of Massachusetts-Boston leads the rankings, producing Public Administration graduates earning $65,865 while maintaining a 93rd percentile mobility score. Across this focused list, average graduate earnings reach $60,167—demonstrating that schools serving low-income students can compete on outcomes, not just access.
University of Massachusetts-Boston serves 43% Pell Grant recipients—students from families earning under $60,000—while still producing graduates earning $65,865. Even better: graduates face just a 12% payment burden, landing in the 'Manageable' category. These schools deliver both access AND affordability.
Earnings: $65,865 | Mobility: 93rd percentile
43% Pell students with $65,865 earnings
9.5% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
20.0% family burden | Challenging - payment 18-25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Graduate Earnings | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS | Mobility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | $92,538 | $24,250 | Good | $34,984 | Challenging | 60th percentile mobility |
| #2 | $65,865 | $21,974 | Good | $17,163 | Challenging | 91th percentile mobility | |
| #3 | Simmons UniversityPrivate | $63,494 | $24,840 | Good | $23,772 | Manageable | 70th percentile mobility |
| #4 | $57,466 | $24,286 | Good | $18,070 | Manageable | 89th percentile mobility | |
| #5 | $57,346 | $22,457 | Good | $18,544 | Challenging | 77th percentile mobility | |
| #6 | Salem State UniversityPublic | $56,662 | $25,000 | Good | $21,128 | Challenging | 75th percentile mobility |
| #7 | $53,874 | $24,239 | Good | $16,500 | Challenging | 61th percentile mobility |
Our social mobility rankings answer: "Which schools deliver the best outcomes for students from low-income backgrounds?"
This is not simply "which schools admit the most low-income students" — it's which schools both serve low-income students and deliver strong earnings outcomes.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
